Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-07-08
HONG DI.
The Murderer of Mrs.
BillOu on Trial.
WEAVER IN THE WITNESS. BOX.
And his Testimony Makes Things
Look Very Unhealthy for the
Chinese Defendant.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HsRALD

CHlueSe DeIenuant.
Associated Press Dispatches to the HwRALp
CoLUsA. Cal, July THE case oft
People against Hong Di was called At
9 o'clock this morning. and the work of
securing q jury resumed. Out of the
first panel six were retained at 10
o'clock. and the work of securing q. jury
was completed. The following were
sworn to try the case. E.nas Black.
Clark Harrison, H. X. Gay, Mark Hub
bard, w. H. Cushmau, 7. H. Harlan.
Edward Davis, Samuel Gilmour, d.
Cowart, Jacob Ellison, Matthew Edpe
and J. M. johnson.
The Clerk then read the information
charging Hong Di, whose correct name
is Ho Ah Heuug, with The murder of
Mrs. Joseph Billou, after which he
stated to the jury that 81 the arraign--
ment Hong Di pleaded not guilty.
District Attorney Albery then pro-
ceeded to address the jury, stating what
the prosecution expected to prove. He
described the situation OF the diniuq
room where Mrs. Billion and Anna.
Maud and William H. Weaver had inst
finished supper and the Incidents of
what followed. Mr.. Albery is . tall.
slim man and presents q commanding
appearance. holding the attention OF
each juryman. He closed his statements
BY saying: 1--WE expect to make out .
full case of cold.blooded murder and
should we do SO we expect verdict
accordingly" The prosecution then
asked for an adjournment until l:l5 in
order to present plats and plans of the
Billou residence, which were being
drawn, and the request was granted.
wEAvER's EvIDEScE.
VIM. H. Weaver was called a. the
first witness on behalf of the defsn,s
and testified that he was SO years old,
and that he was at the residence of
Joseph Billou in Colusa county at the
time OF the murder. His testimony vas
as follows: Il was engaged in hsuiiug
wood at the lower ranch during the day.
would get up about daylight each
morDing and 20 to the lower rsnch,
chop load of wood and return to din.
ner at about II o'clock and g, for m.
other load in the afternoon. On the
fatal day returned at about $50, nm
hitched the team and unloadsd the
wood, went to the bunk house aud put
on my coat. then went to the pump sad
washed and returned to the bunk house,
where l was when the bell rang for sup-
per. l sat ON the steps until tine family
came out into the hall to 60 into the
dining room. Here diagrams were pro
duced in evidence.) One showed ths
positions at the table; on the north
eide OF the table at the northwest cor
ner sat Weaver, Anna Billion
sat at the head of the table, Maud
opposite Weaver and Mrs. Biilou
at the southeast corner, diagonally from
Weaver. Mr.. Billou was absent in San
Francisco. When the diagrams were ex-
planned and put in the evidence, q
juror desired to know who rang the bell
for supper, which Weaver could not
answer. Weaver continued his testimony:
"While at supper the conversation wss
picnic which was 10 occur in
the neighborhood, and little Maud
wanted to know whether her father
would return in time for the picnic.
About the time they had finished supper
and had moved back their chairs Hong
Di brought in a lamp and then went out,
after which the door opened. Then
Weaver arose and said:
s'wHANG WENT A GUN,
I felf and q moment after the doc
opened again and whang went the gun
again and Mrs. Billou fell, her right arm
under her. After this heard some rum
ming ard shutfling of feet aud Auna ran
out of the door. A few moments later
heard fall and I told Mau d TO close
the doors and Anna came in. aske
her what was it, tramps or what? an
she replied: 1T was Hong, the cook. 1
saw him shoot at you.' l then told them
to close the doors. A few moments
later told Anna to look quick and see
whatshe could see. She did so and whang
went the gun again and she exclaimed
oh! l asked her il she was hurt end
she said she was not but the ball had
passed close to her." At this time
Weaver was on his feet at the kitchen
door
WITH A CARVING KNIFE
In his hand. After quiet had reigued ia
the house for few minutes Weaver said
il was time for Maud to 60 for assistance.
Anna hoisted the window and Maud
jumped out. Weaver was still at the
door and he heard the gun 60 of again.
the ball passing in front Of him at the
window. In few moments there cams
o pounding on the door where Weaver
was standing and Anna thought it was
another shot, and few more pounds on
the outside drove in the panel, which
passed by Weaver and he caught at it.
II looked out" said Weaver, land there
stood the defendant, Hong Di, az in
hand and as the door came
open, l tried to push the
table up to the door and asked
Anna to help me. As stepped back
pushed the chimney of the lamp and it
went out. then said to Hong: I am
ready for you, and think this scsred
him off. James White came about
twenty-five minutes after Maud had left
and shortly after some others arrived"
Weaver then explained that the ball
struck him in the back aud ca me out at
his breast Mrs. Billou made but slight
noise as she
FELL DEAD.
On re direct examination Weaver
stated that after the shooting when he
came out of the dining.reom he saw a
Chinese apron and shoes there, Weaver
was then dismissed.
After recess of five minutes DR.. Gray
was put on the stand. He testified thst
he was physician and surgeon and
made post-mertem examination OF the
body of Mrs. Billou, and that the lall
produced almost instant death.
Oscar Robinson, coroner, was sworn,
and produced three of the bullet.shots.
which were submitted. He stated that
he fitted the axe which Hong d, used
into seven places in the door where L